Small-scale Construction Research Articles

The Relevance of the Merdeka Curriculum Vocational School to the Competency Needs in the Construction Field in the Industry

The issue of curriculum relevance in vocational education is a crucial issue of all time. The relevance of the curriculum has two blades, whether it will be the biggest strength or even the biggest weakness in vocational education. Relevance will link the existing employment potential and the graduate's ability to fulfill the job requirements. This research aims to determine the relevance of the independent vocational school learning curriculum, especially in the field of construction, with the competencies needed in the world of work. This research uses a qualitative approach with participants being teachers in the field of study, especially construction and leaders/heads/managers in companies. Data collection was carried out through a Focus Group Discussion (FGD). The questions in the FGD consisted of open-ended questions to find out participants' answers in detail. The research results show that there is relevance between the Merdeka Curriculum and the needs of industry, especially in the building construction sector. Vocational school graduates generally have opportunities in small-scale construction industry services and efforts to increase relevance between schools and industry are to increase cooperation and increase teacher competence.

Entrepreneurial Skills Required of Small and Medium Scale Construction Firms’ Operation in Abuja, Nigeria

The study examined the entrepreneurial skills required of small and medium-scale construction firms’ operations in Abuja. One research question and hypothesis guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The population of the study consisted of 976; 401 managers and 572 contractors in registered small and medium-sized building construction firms in Abuja. A sample size of 278; 119 managers and 159 contractors were used for the study. The sample size for this study was determined using Taro Yamane’s sample reduction formula. The data for this study was collected using a structured questionnaire. The face and content validity of the instrument was established using the opinions of three experts from the Department of Building, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach alpha; which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.78. The findings of the study revealed that financial management, industry knowledge, project management, innovation and technology savvy, risk management, quality control, and adaptability are the most essential entrepreneurial skills for small and medium-sized construction firms in Abuja. The study among others recommended that managers of these firms should place emphasis on financial management skills, and networking skills through training programs, workshops, and mentoring opportunities.

Adoption of Entrepreneurial Skills in Small and Medium Size Construction Firms in Abuja Nigeria: The Barriers

The study examined barriers to adoption of entrepreneurial skills required of small and medium scale construction firms’ operation in Abuja. One research question and hypothesis guided the study. The study adopted descriptive research design. The population of the study consisted of 976; 401 managers and 572 contractors in registered small and medium sized building construction firms in Abuja. A sample size of 278; 119 managers and 159 contractors were used for the study. The sample size for this study was determined using Taro Yamane’s sample reduction formula. The data for this study was collected using structured questionnaire. The face and content validity of the instrument was established using the opinions of three experts from the Department of Building, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. The reliability of the instrument was established using Cronbach alpha; which yielded a reliability coefficient of 0.77. The findings of the study revealed that that barriers to the adoption of entrepreneurial skills in small and medium sized construction firms in Abuja include limited access to training programs, regulatory barriers, financial constraints, and lack of access to mentorship among others. The study among others recommended Barriers to skill development should be addressed by managers of building construction firms by providing access to training and mentorship pogrammes for staff.

Comparative environmental value stream assessment of offsite and onsite 3D construction printing processes

Extensive research has been conducted to establish a comprehensive understanding of the environmental impact of prefabrication and traditional onsite construction methods. In the case of 3D printing, onsite construction involves the transportation and onsite installation of a huge 3D printing setup, while offsite 3D construction printing (3DCP) requires the movement of bulky printed components. Consequently, the comprehensive environmental impact assessment of offsite and onsite 3DCP from raw material supply to the final construction stage needs to be investigated. This study aims to investigate the impact of onsite and offsite 3DCP processes on the environment considering the raw material production, transportation, printing and assembly processes. Environmental value stream assessment based on life cycle analysis (LCA) has been performed to analyze the impact of different processes on ecosystem, natural resources and human health. The findings show that the onsite 3DCP offers 21%, 19.7% and 27.6% lesser impact in terms of global warming potential (GWP), terrestrial acidification and fossil resource scarcity, respectively, than offsite 3DCP. Raw materials production contributes significantly to human carcinogenic toxicity and mineral resource scarcity, while transportation activities have a significant contribution to fossil resource scarcity and global warming potential. Sensitivity analysis shows that the offsite 3DCP can be preferred for small-scale construction containing concrete materials less than 140 tonnes in terms of transportation. In this case, moving the entire printing setup can have a greater environmental impact than transporting small printed components.

Analysis of the process of small-scale public procurement in the education sector in the Czech Republic

This paper explores the challenges associated with public procurement processes in the Czech Republic, as well as globally. In particular, it focuses on small-scale construction projects in the education sector and the problems associated with them, including policy making, pricing, efficiency, and the length of the procurement process. The paper also examines the risks associated with public procurement in the construction industry and how these risks can be managed through risk management. Moreover, it analyses the specific problems in the education sector, including imbalanced contractual conditions and unfair arrangements, which often shift the responsibility for risk aftermath to contractors. To gain insight into these issues, a research questionnaire was conducted among construction companies participating in the public procurement process. Based on the questionnaire results and a comparison between public and private procurement processes in the Czech Republic and Germany, the paper identifies flaws in the system and proposes potential solutions. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for small changes to be implemented to improve the system, even though corruption remains a major issue that needs to be addressed. Overall, this paper provides valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders on how to address the issues surrounding public procurement in the education sector in the Czech Republic and beyond.

Implementation of Quality Management System for a Small Scale Building Construction project Sites.

Abstract: The construction industry plays a crucial role in consistently delivering value and quality to its clients. Nevertheless, it faces challenges related to quality, leading to unsatisfactory outcomes, unsafe structures, and budget overruns. To address these issues, it is essential to establish a Quality Management System (QMS). This systematic approach ensures both product and process quality, not only satisfying customers and adhering to regulations but also reducing rework and waste. The successful implementation of a robust QMS involves tasks such as business analysis, initial planning, awareness raising, expert training, document control, deployment, measurement and control, auditing, and continuous improvement. This research focuses on the importance of quality management in small-scale construction projects during the execution phase. It involves data gathered from interviews and questionnaires with builders/contractors, consultants, and customers/building occupants. By examining the quality management practices of these small-scale building contractors and their impact on customer satisfaction, operational efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, this study aims to provide valuable insights into the matter.

Integration of passive RFID for small-scale construction project management

Passive radio frequency identification (P-RFID) is discussed previously for its sustainable usefulness in the construction industry. The subject of this research is the barriers to the implementation of passive radio frequency identification (P-RFID) technology for the digital transformation of small construction projects, and the interrelationships among these barriers. This study emphasizes notably smaller building projects. Considering technological, cultural, privacy, interest, volatility, and resource constraints that must be overcome to encourage the implementation of P-RFID in the construction business. A PLS-SEM analysis is also provided, showing how much technological, cultural, and privacy hurdles affect the P-RFID rollout. Most severely inhibiting adoption are technical obstacles, cultural ones, and privacy concerns. Findings stress the need of construction firms to adopt new technology to speed up project completion and keep up with rising demand. The use of P-RFID technology may improve the efficiency of project delivery processes and reduce the number of failed projects. Additionally, the research highlights the value of privacy as well as the need of making its protection a key priority in the development of P-RFID technology. According to the findings of the research, one of the most important things that has to be done in order to increase the usage of P-RFID in low-volume sustainable construction projects in Malaysia is to remove the barriers that prevent people from being interested in it.

THE POTENTIAL OF ISLAMIC CROWDFUNDING TO FINANCE SMALL CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN MALAYSIA

In an era marked by a multitude of global challenges, such as geopolitical tensions like the Russia-Ukraine conflict, regional lockdowns affecting key Chinese provinces, and the strict enforcement of monetary policies, all exacerbated by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, which has further intensified funding challenges for infrastructure projects, this study delves into the potential of Islamic crowdfunding as a means to finance small-scale construction projects in Malaysia. Utilizing qualitative research and content analysis, this investigation explores the applicability of crowdfunding within Malaysia's construction sector. Data collection involves a comprehensive review of pertinent literature and documents, with thematic analysis revealing crucial insights. The paper introduces a framework that harmonizes crowdfunding principles with Islamic ethical values, aiming to foster inclusive economic growth. This research advocates for collaboration among various stakeholders, including Islamic crowdfunding platforms, construction companies, investors, and regulatory authorities, to harness the potential of Islamic crowdfunding. By doing so, they can contribute to Malaysia's economic growth, social development, and the expansion of ethical finance within the construction industry.

Identifying Critical Factors and Trends Leading to Fatal Accidents in Small-Scale Construction Sites in Korea

Small-scale construction sites in South Korea account for about 91.5% of all construction workplaces and contribute to 72.3% of the total accidents and fatalities. Safety measures at these sites are often underestimated, and proper safety education is lacking. In particular, the fatality rate is about 4.43 times higher compared to medium-/large-scale construction sites. In this study, a systematic analysis was conducted to examine the causes and trends of industrial accidents in small-scale construction sites to address these issues. This study analyzed industrial accidents in small-scale construction sites using statistical analysis, LDA topic modeling, and network analysis based on data from the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) from 2018 to 2022. The analysis revealed that the most critical cause of accidents in small-scale construction sites is ‘Scaffolding and working platforms’, with accidents primarily involving ‘Fall’. Furthermore, various risk factors and accident trends were identified in apartment construction, new building projects, and mobile scaffolding usage. This study systematically analyzed the causes and trends of industrial accidents at small-scale construction sites, providing important evidence to enhance safety management and preventive measures. The results are expected to play a crucial role in establishing a safety culture at construction sites and ensuring the wellbeing of construction workers.

QR Code-Based Material Passports for Component Reuse Across Life Cycle Stages in Small-Scale Construction

The rise of attention to the circular economy in the built environment faces a pervasive problem that buildings are designed to last longer than the careers of those who built them. Predicting how to best preserve and convey information on building construction and materials from the beginning to the end of life is difficult. This paper explores the impact of track and trace technology, specifically quick-response (QR) codes, on reusing elements at the end of a building’s life. In two case studies, we tested the effectiveness of using a material passport (MP) in small-scale construction, providing insights into the digital and physical processes. Ultimately, QR codes are shown to be good stores of static information but are not optimized for dynamic process information during construction life cycles. Despite the challenges of ensuring sustainable, circular construction, the results of this study should motivate those in the construction industry to implement and improve these processes in anticipation of future policy, environmental, and economic demands.

Mathematical Multiobjective Optimization Model for Trade-Offs in Small-Scale Construction Projects

As construction projects become more complex and challenging to execute, project managers need to develop work schedules that consider as many objectives as are critical to project success. A work schedule designed to optimize all these objectives is likely to enhance project performance. However, achieving a balance among these objectives is difficult because they frequently conflict with each other. Many optimization models have been developed over the years that can factor in different objectives. Although previous optimization studies have contributed to the body of knowledge by individually adding one or two objectives to the classical time–cost trade-off (TCT) problem, none of these studies simultaneously optimized more than three or four objectives at a time. Clearly, there is a need for a multiobjective optimization model to generate work schedules that increase the likelihood of achieving as many project objectives as necessary. This study was motivated by the need to fill this research gap. The objective of this study was to develop a mathematical multiobjective optimization model for the time–cost–quality–schedule flexibility-resource fluctuation trade-off problem in small-scale construction projects. The proposed model is novel because it (1) considers five important objectives of construction project scheduling at the same time, (2) quantifies all objectives to provide an accurate reflection of construction site conditions, and (3) objectively determines the optimal compromise solution using a distance-based method rather than subjectively from a set of Pareto-optimal solutions. The applicability of the proposed model is demonstrated with an illustrative example. The key results of this study are as follows: (1) the optimal solution obtained depends on the project manager’s priorities relative to the objectives; and (2) in optimization problems with more than two objectives, considering the objectives one at a time may result in misleading solutions, because the effects of the other objectives are ignored in this optimization. Consequently, multiple objectives must be considered simultaneously rather than one at a time. The proposed model is expected to provide project managers with a work schedule that balances five or more objectives, increasing the chances of successful project performance.

Success of Implementing Cloud Computing for Smart Development in Small Construction Projects

The objective of this study is to ascertain the essential elements that contribute to the successful implementation of cloud computing in small-scale construction projects, with the ultimate goal of promoting intelligent development in Malaysia. The construction sector is undergoing rapid transformation, and the integration of cloud computing technology can make a substantial contribution to the achievement of project objectives and the promotion of sustainable development. Nonetheless, there exists a dearth of comprehension regarding the function of cloud computing in minor construction undertakings within the Malaysian context. In order to bridge this gap, a mixed-methods approach was implemented, which encompassed a comprehensive review of the literature, interviews with experts, and a preliminary survey that involved 160 participants. Utilizing the findings of the pilot survey, the process of Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was employed to discern and eliminate nonessential determinants of success. A survey utilizing primary questionnaires was conducted with a sample size of 230 participants. The subsequent analysis of 16 critical success factors was carried out through the application of Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The findings indicate that there are four fundamental constructs that play a crucial role in the effective execution of a project. These include cost, quality, and time management (β = 0.352); planning success (β = 0.360); organizational success (β = 0.351); and communication and coordination (β = 0.299). The research results have favorable ramifications for the construction sector in Malaysia. The integration of cloud computing technology in minor construction endeavors has the potential to augment project efficacy and foster sustainable development. This study offers a roadmap for stakeholders in the construction industry to effectively utilize cloud computing technology for smart development by identifying critical success factors.

The Influence of Building Information Modelling Adoption in the Viability of Medium, Small and Micro Scale Construction Firms (MSMSCFs)

Identifying factors influencing the viability of medium, small, and micro scale construction firms (MSMSCFs) is a crucial precursor in positioning such firms to aid economic and infrastructural development, especially in developing countries. This article assesses viability factors that are influenced by building information modeling (BIM) in MSMSCFs amidst construction firms’ viability factors. Out of a total of 177 workers surveyed from 59 MSMSCFs that were awarded construction project contracts in sampled institutions in Nigeria, 65 staff members from 31 MSMSCFs were accessed. The factors were ranked and reduced to significant ones through principal component analysis. Ten significant factors influence the viability of MSMSCFs and six of them are enhanced by BIM implementations. All eight component factors and 18 of the 27 variables with high factor loadings can be influenced by BIM implementation. BIM can potentially curb corruption in construction projects and enhance MSMSCFs’ quality of service, clients’ satisfaction, construction management and technology, professional performance, procurement practices, and prompt payment of work certificates. All stakeholders need to pay prompt attention to factors that can be influenced by BIM to improve the viability of MSMSCFs, thereby hastening BIM adoption and utilization, especially in developing countries.

Analysis of Safety Behaviour of Workers Under Small-Scale Construction Sites: A Case Study of Anambra State

Small-scale construction companies are predominant in developing countries and it is the most hazardous places in construction sites. Accidents mostly occur on construction sites due to a high level of safety ignorance and the nonchalant attitude of workers and management. The research aimed to investigate the actual behavior of workers at the selected sites regarding safety compliance, nutrition, alcohol use and smoking. This is highly necessary due to the high level of reported accidents and fatalities of the workers. And also recommend measures for improving how safety practices are implemented at a construction site. The interview and questionnaire approach was adopted to study the 150 participants. The data were analysed through SPSS. Research shows that 85% of construction workers are non-compliant with safety regulations because of their ignorance, poor safety training and lack of inspectors It was discovered that the majority of the small-scale contractors had no written health and safety policy within their companies and that made the level of understanding of the workers on safety and health policies very low. This has made the workers not care about wearing safety devices. The study was also extended to include behaviors related to food, alcohol and smoking. It was discovered that most of the workers don’t observe simple hygiene and eat junk meals at the site. They smoke and share cigarettes on the site, not knowing that it was a means of sharing communicable diseases.

Best Practices in Construction 4.0 – Catalysts of digital innovations (Part I)

Digital transformation in the AEC industry (Architecture, Engineering and Construction) is a key driver to enhance technical innovation in the branch and adds dynamic to all work processes and methods. A more differentiated understanding of the responsible use of innovative technologies aims not only towards increased sustainability and more efficient building life cycles but also recognizing the unintended effects such as artificial intelligence (AI). The study is part of a larger primary research on Corporate Digital Responsibility (CDR) in Construction 4.0; this identifies, analyzes and systematically evaluates key factors of a sustainable digital transformation, especially in the traditionally small-scale Construction Industry - one in which there can be no standardized procedure. The study uses interdisciplinary literature and data research and expert interviews. The qualitative method enables a critical-reflexive analysis of the key factors of a meaningful and sustainable implementation of innovative technologies in Construction. Application examples show possible approaches - some of which are implemented as prototypes - and provide guidance for small to medium-sized companies. The study outlines the necessary steps for companies to define their own potential fields of application and find suitable methods. Another aim of the study is to take stock of the acceptance of new technologies by comparing different perspectives from experts. The study results show new perspectives in the transformation of the Construction Industry. They show that Digital Transformation in Construction 4.0 has great potential for an economical, efficient construction life cycle, but requires the responsible, sensible use of innovative technologies.

Effect of bismuth oxide nanoparticle on the electromagnetic interference shielding and thermal stability of industrial waste based-geopolymer composites

Gold mine tailings, fly ash, and bagasse ash has been repurposed to produce geopolymer (GP) with enhanced electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency (EMI-SE) and high thermal property. GP has low shielding efficiency compared to concrete. Due to this, an appropriate filler must be incorporated into its matrix to enhance its EMI-SE. For this study, bismuth oxide nanomaterial (BiNP) was utilized as the additive filler. The percent content of BiNP was varied to evaluate its influence on the EMI-SE of GP. Morphology shows that Bi2O3 was embedded in the matrix of GP, and no new aluminu-phyllosilicate minerals were formed. This indicates that some minerals acted only as internal fillers in the matrix. Compressive strength shows synthesized GP composites were more than 20 MPa, with neat GP reaching the maximum strength. Moreover, the EMI-SE of neat GP was 21.2 dB for 20–4500 MHz range. This indicates that GP alone has sufficient characteristics to attenuate EMI radiation. Addition of 5%, 10% and 15% weight of BiNP improves EMI-SE by 4–10%, with 5% BiNP shown to be the optimum ratio. Lastly, the addition of BiNP improves the thermal stability of GP. This study shows that GP incorporated with Bi2O3 can be recommended for small-scale construction and small residential building.

To Study the Role of Store Management in JIT

Abstract: Construction projects execution has changed drastically more from last decades. In execution of project there are many departments working for successful project execution. These all departments need to cope up with the changes occurring in industry. One of the departments helping for execution of project is store. To execute project successfully store department role is very important. In traditional system, store is only considered as the storage place. Small or medium scale construction organization does not use the store as effective department for in time project delivery. Store management can support to Just in time concept and helpful for inventory control and in time project completion. Store management increases the efficiency of work and helps for smooth working. It is observed that the activity going on site are delayed majorly due to unavailability of material. Poor store management leads to purchase of material with high rate as emergency from local vendors to avoid delay. Sometimes the material within the stor due to poor store management gets wasted and to lead cost for project. This paper is to study effective store management which helps to JIT approach causing minimum inventory cost and wastage of material.

Increasing the potential application of Microsoft project and Primavera P6 for project management: A comparative analysis of the residential project

Change during the management of construction projects has been observed due to raised complexities, changes in work orders, change in client requirements and much more sudden and natural reasons. A large number of paperwork is required for planning and scheduling work, which complicates project management. There are lots of software related to planning, scheduling, controlling, and project management in the market to make complicated manual work easier. The current study emphasizes on application of Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project (MSP) for project handling and management. Complexities during the life cycle of the project have been observed, starting from pre-construction planning to schedule the activity sequence, defining labour duties, selecting of construction methods, and assigning resources and responsibilities to the players involved in the work. In this research, A case study of a residential project has been chosen. The costing and scheduling of the project were calculated by using primavera P6 and Microsoft Project. After a detailed study and comparative analysis of scheduling and cost with Primavera P6 and Microsoft Project show very minor differences. The total Project duration in MSP is 93 days and in primavera 87 days. Similarly, after cost comparison analysis by using both techniques, the result shows that using MSP total project cost was 13,34,345 Rs. and in primavera 13,82,573 Rs. After observing the detailed tools of both the software it can be concluded that there is not much difference between both the software parameters. But the application of MSP is much user friendly compared to Primavera. And in countries like India still the application of software base project handling is done for larger construction projects only. For smaller works project managers still limit the use of various software. Both software has some different features for different types of project management-related tasks. This research aims to highlight the positive insights of both tools for the projects. The findings of this research also showcase that for small, medium, and large scale construction requirements of software tool changes and so its effectiveness also.

Influence of Organisational Culture on Project Planning: A Competing Values Perspective in Ghanaian Context

Purpose: This study empirically examined the influence of organisational culture (OC) on construction project planning.
 Design/methodology/approach: A descriptive cross-sectional survey approach was used to obtain quantitative data from 375 large and medium-scale construction firms in Ghana. The data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as mean and standard deviation, confirmatory factor analysis, Pearson correlation and multiple regression model.
 Findings: The results revealed that the market type of organisational culture had the highest significant positive influence on project planning, followed by clan, hierarchy, and adhocracy cultures. The results further revealed that a high level of project planning is positively associated with the combined cultural clusters represented by the dimensions of “stability and control clusters”. 
 Research limitation: This study focused on only large and medium-scale construction organisations; however, data from small-scale construction organisations will be needed to strengthen and widen the scope of applicability of the findings.
 Practical implication: It is evident that the practice of adhocracy culture in the surveyed firms provides a low significant effect on project planning efforts. It is, therefore, recommended that more emphasis be placed on market culture as it had proven to have a higher significant influence on construction project planning.
 Social implication: This study contributes to management and public policy by identifying organisational cultural types that significantly contribute to achieving effective project planning.
 Originality/value: Organisational culture in the context of project planning initiatives has received very little attention in project management research. This research significantly contributes to the research stream by providing empirical evidence of the influence of OC on project planning, highlighting which OC types are more or less likely to improve project planning efforts.

소규모 건설현장 근로자의 업무상 손상에 영향을 미치는 요인 - 제6차 근로환경조사 자료를 중심으로 -

Purpose: This study is to analyze the affecting factors of general characteristics and work characteristics on occupational injury for small construction site worker. It aims to contribute to preparing measures to prevent occupational injury of small construction site workers by identifying factors affecting occupational injury among industrial accidents. Method: This study targeted 1,702 of small construction site workers out of 50,538 workers who participated in the 6th Working Environment Survey prepared by the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Self-employed workers and insufficient responses were excluded, so 1,702 people were analyzed. The collected data are analyzed using SPSS/WIN 23.0 Program by frequency analysis, percentage, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis. Results: As a result of the study, the factors affecting the occupational injury of construction workers are explained that the rate of experiencing occupational injury increases according to the experiences of empolyment type, work duration, average working time per week, subjective health conditions, sleep disorder, high temperature, heavy goods handling uncomfortable position and presenteeism. Conclusion: In order to reduce occupational injury to small-scale construction workers, it is necessary to improve the working environment such as job security, working hours adjustment, and job stress management measures, and it can be used as basic data for other studies in the future.